Method of registering, transferring and storing information

ABSTRACT

If each part information, such as a product, a measure, a routine, a text portion etc. in an information handling system is given a bar code (2), and if these items of part information are stored in clear (3) together with their bar codes in bar code tables (1) and in the computers (6) included in the system, simple and rational registering, transferring and storing of information can be carried out as follows. Selected items of part information which together form information to be registered, transferred and stored, are registered in that the corresponding bar codes are read by means of a bar code reader (4) and are entered into a computer (6). The computer is caused to print the inputted bar codes and the corresponding items of part information in clear on a sheet of paper (8).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of registering, transferringand storing information in a form which permits simple and flexiblehandling of information, said information consisting of items of partinformation which is selected among a plurality of predetermined itemsof part information, each of which corresponds to a predetermined barcode and each of which is stored together with the corresponding barcode in a computer and on a medium which permits reading of the barcodes by means of a bar code reader, which method comprises registeringof the selected part information in that the corresponding bar codes areread by means of a bar code reader and are entered into the computer.

In recent years, a great deal of the handling of information has beencomputerised in many companies, authorities and institutes. This hasbrought many advantages such as saving of time, possibilities ofrational handling of information, of producing statistics etc., but hasalso resulted in quite a few problems, implying that the new computersystems did not always come up to expectations.

As an example of the problems in computerised handling of information,it may be mentioned that entering information into the computer is atime-consuming operation, that an inexperienced user finds it difficultto produce and compile information from different registers, that thecomputer systems are inflexible and that therefore extensivemodifications of the system are required as information handlingroutines are changed or when new routines should be introduced into thesystem, that different computer systems are incompatible, which makes itdifficult to transfer information between different systems, and thatthe computer systems are unwieldy and vulnerable since all unitsincluded in the system must be connected to each other or to a centralcomputer in which all the information is stored.

The above-mentioned problems are well known in medical service wherelarge quantities of information are being handled and thereforecomputerised information handling systems have been introduced in recentyears. In medical service, there is one more problem: a great deal ofthe information handled is classified as secret. Unfortunately, it isdifficult to maintain secrecy when casebooks, tests, laboratory reportsetc. are handled by many different persons who have free access to theinformation.

In trade, the introduction of a bar code system has simplified andimproved the handling of information. Each type of goods has been givenan alphanumeric designation which is available on each article inbar-coded form. Further, in the computer systems of the shops all typesof goods, the corresponding bar codes and the prices are stored. When acustomer buys an article, the bar code is read on the article by a barcode reader and is entered into a computer which on a customer's receiptprints the type of goods in clear, together with the price. Alsostock-taking has been simplified through the introduction of the barcode system since, in this context, the type of goods and the number ofgoods of this type in stock are registered by bar code readers. Theinformation thus stored in the bar code reader is then transferred to acomputer for further processing.

Also in medical service, certain attempts have been made to usebar-coded information. One example is patient's cards which have beenprovided with bar-coded personal data which are read by a bar codereader for identifying the patient.

In patent literature, the use of bar codes for information handlingpurposes is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,793. Thispublication describes a system for handling of information in connectionwith trade shows and the like. Each visitor is given an identificationbadge stating his registration number in bar-coded form. A person'svisit to a booth in the exhibition area can be registered by reading thebar code on his identification badge. To make it easier for theoperators of a booth to register a visitor's request for informationconcerning the products or his inquiries, the most demanded productinformation and the most frequent inquiries can be available on a sheetof paper in both human-readable and bar-coded form. Inquiries orrequests for information concerning products are then registered in thatthe bar code of the inquiry or the requested product information andalso the bar-coded registration number on the visitor's identificationbadge are scanned with a bar code reader.

The systems described above solve the problem with the time-consuminginput of information to a computer. However, they do not solve the otherproblems stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention therefore is to provide a new methodof registering, transferring and storing information, which solves theabove-mentioned problems and permits simple and flexible handling ofinformation.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a methoddescribed by way of introduction, which is characterised in that thecomputer is caused to print, in clear, each inputted bar code and thecorresponding part information on a medium which permits reading of thebar codes by a bar code reader.

This method of registering and storing information brings a great numberof advantages, all of which are obtained in that the bar code and thecorresponding information are printed in clear side by side.

One advantage is that such a printout makes it possible to reenter allthe information printed or selected parts thereof into the same or adifferent computer for processing.

A further advantage is that such a printout makes it easy to compileinformation from a large number of sources. If all the information isstored on paper in both human-readable and bar-coded form, new documentscontaining information from different sources can be prepared in thatbar-coded part information is read from different sources by a bar codereader and then is output in human-readable as well as bar-coded form.

A still further advantage is that if information is stored by the methodaccording to the invention, it can readily be copied and distributed tomany persons who can each easily enter it into his computer.

One more advantage is that the method according to the invention rendersit possible to transfer information from a sender to a receiver withoutthe information being readable by intermediaries, if any. This ispossible if the information is transferred in bar-coded form only fromthe sender to the receiver, since bar codes normally cannot be readwithout an auxiliary appliance.

Yet another advantage is that the method according to the inventionmakes it possible to file information in paper-bound form, awaitingsubsequent data processing. If the information is classified, it can bestored in bar-coded form only. The method also permits compact filing,since the bar code information can be considerably diminished withoutthe possibilities of reading by a bar code reader being lost.

One more advantage of the method according to the invention is that itpermits the use of small local computer systems or individual computers,e.g. Personal Computers. The computer systems used need not even becompatible since the information can readily be moved from one computerto another by printing it on paper in human-readable and bar-coded formand subsequently reading it into the other computer by the bar codereader.

Another advantage of the method according to the invention is that itresults in cost savings, since small, local computer systems are lessexpensive and simpler to modify, and since the nursing staff itself cancarry out a great deal of the registering and storing of information nowcarried out by the office staff.

A still further advantage of the method according to the invention isthat it permits simplified text processing. Since, for example, frequentphrases are bar-coded, running text can readily be entered into acomputer and be printed on paper together with the corresponding barcode.

A further advantage is that the method according to the invention makesit possible to transfer information from one language to another.However, it is a requirement that the information to be transferred isbar-coded in an identical manner in the two languages between which theinformation should be transferred.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Applications of the method according to the present invention will bedescribed below with reference to the accompanying drawings which

FIG. 1 illustrates a system by means of which the method according tothe invention can be carried out;

FIG. 2 shows the application of the present invention when writing outprescriptions;

FIG. 3 shows the application of the present invention in compilation;

FIG. 4 shows the application of the present invention when filinginformation;

FIG. 5 shows how to obtain secrecy by the method according to thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 shows the application of the method according to the presentinvention when transferring information from one language to another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is based on the condition that in a specificfield, for example in medical service, alpha-numerical designations areagreed on for at least part of the information to be handled. In medicalservice, such alphanumerical designations are assigned to e.g.diagnoses, types of care, testing methods, laboratory results,medicines, recurrent phrases, expressions for forming sentences andanswers etc. For rational handling of information, all designations arebar-coded. All bar codes and the corresponding information in clear arethen collected in catalogues or tables on the one hand on paper or thelike, permitting reading of the bar codes by a bar code reader and, onthe other hand, in the memory of the computers included in theinformation handling system.

It is convenient to provide in each country a central data base in whichall the bar codes agreed on nationally or, preferably, internationallyfor one or more technical fields are stored together with thecorresponding information in clear in the languages of the country.Moreover, it is convenient to store in the computers in the localinformation handling systems merely the bar codes (of course togetherwith the corresponding text in clear) which are of use locally. Forexample, in a computer in a testing laboratory it could suffice to storetest results, testing orders and recurrent text passages. If a localcomputer meets a bar code which is not stored in its memory, it canconsult a superordinated computer having a greater bar code memory and,last of all, the central data base in the country.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example how a system for carrying out the methodaccording to the invention can be designed. The system comprises a barcode catalogue 1 in which bar codes 2 for e.g. different diagnoses arestored. The bar codes 2 are to be found in a column at the extreme righton the pages of the catalogue, and adjacent each bar code 2, its meaningis printed in clear 3. Each bar code 2 represents an item of partinformation of the total information which can be handled by means ofthe bar code system. The system further comprises a bar code reader 4which can be connected to a bar code memory 5 or directly to a computer6 which is suggested to be a PC. Bar code readers and bar code memoriesare commercially available. The memory of the computer 6 comprises thecontents of the bar code catalogue 1 which is stored electronically. Thecomputer further comprises programs for receiving signals, whichrepresent bar codes, from the bar code reader 4 or the bar code memory5, programs for handling these bar code signals in different manners,programs for determining the meaning of the bar code signals, programsfor printing them etc. Such programs can readily be designed by theexpert and therefore are not described in detail. To the computer 6,there is connected a printer 7 which must be of a type which can printboth in clear and bar codes.

Today, when a doctor goes his rounds, he or one of the staff makes notesby hand on paper. After the rounds, these notes are used as a base fore.g. dictating case-book text on tape or for writing out prescriptionsby hand. The information dictated on tape is then written in clear orentered into a computer by a secretary. Such processing of informationis very slow and inefficient and demands great resources. By means ofthe method according to the invention, this processing can however besimplified to a considerable extent, as will be described in thefollowing.

Instead of the doctor providing himself with a pad and pen before makinghis rounds, he obtains the bar code reader 4 which he connects to theportable bar code memory 5. During the rounds, first he registers thepatient's personal data by scanning a card with the bar code reader 4,on which card the patient's personal data are available inhuman-readable and bar-coded form. Subsequently he registers informationon the patient's state of health, medication etc. by scanning selectedbar codes in the bar code table 1 with the bar code reader. Theinformation thus registered is stored in the bar code memory 5. Afterthe rounds or when the bar code memory is full, the doctor connects thememory 5 to the computer 6 and instructs this to read The registeredinformation and then to output the information in human-readable andbar-coded form on a sheet of paper 8. By means of the method accordingto the invention, information can thus be registered and, stored in asimple and reliable manner.

If the doctor works sitting at his computer, he can connect the bar codereader 4 directly to the computer instead of the bar code memory 5. Inthe manner stated above, he can then enter information into the computer6 and have the information printed in clear. The information can beregistered and stored without the doctor being acquainted with the wordprocessing system of the computer. Also the commands for the computercan be available in bar-coded form and be given by scanning a suitablebar code 2 with the bar code reader 5. Any information which the doctorwants to register and store but which is not bar-coded can be entered inconventional manner from the keyboard of the computer 6 or by means of a"bar code producer" which bar-codes every inputted sign separately,thereby producing unique bar code sequences.

FIG. 2 shows the application of the method according to the inventionwhen writing out prescriptions. The doctor now operates by means of abar code reader. The computer screen can display a prescription form 20.The doctor fills in one or more boxes in the form by scanning selectedbar codes in a bar code catalogue with the bar code reader. When theprescription is finished, the doctor can print it out by a printer,whereby the prescription obtains the appearance shown on the sheet 21,with the information in clear to the left and the correspondinginformation in bar-coded form to the right. Alternatively, the doctorcan send the prescription directly to the chemist's computer forprinting. Producing prescriptions by the method according to the presentinvention brings the advantages that drugs can be ordered quickly, thatany errors caused by the doctor's hardly legible handwriting can beeliminated, that the risk that the patient tries to alter theprescription is reduced, and that information on drugs which isavailable in case-books or letters of referral can be readilytransferred to prescriptions.

FIG. 3 shows how the method according to the present invention can beapplied when compiling information from a number of sources. The Figureshows four sheets 30-33 with basic information, which have been producedby the method according to the present invention and which to the leftcontain information in clear and to the right the correspondinginformation in bar-coded form. If a person now wants to compileinformation from these sheets into a new document, he scans selected barcodes on the sheets 30-33 with a bar code reader. These bar codes areentered into a computer and printed in collected form on one sheet 34.

FIG. 4 shows how the method according to the present invention can beapplied when filing information. First the information to be filed isassembled from different sources, e.g. from the sheets 40a-e, by readingbar codes and printing but the bar codes on a single sheet 41a. Aplurality of such sheets 41b-e are produced correspondingly.Subsequently these sheets are considerably diminished and collected on asingle sheet 42. When the information is to be used again, it is readfrom the sheet 42 by a bar code reader into a computer (optionally afterfirst enlarging the sheet 42) and is then printed in human-readable plusbar-coded form on a sheet of paper.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further advantage of the present invention: itprovides natural secrecy, since bar-coded information normally cannot beread without an auxiliary appliance. The Figure shows a first sheet 50containing information in both human-readable and bar-coded form. Ifthis information is classified and is to be transferred from onelocation to another, without any intermediaries having access to theinformation, it is read into a computer and printed but in bar-codedform on a sheet 51. The information on this sheet can then betransferred to another location by mail, by hand, by telecopier, via aTV-link, radio-link or the like, without the persons handling theinformation being able to read or interpret this without an auxiliaryappliance. When the information has reached its receiver in bar-codedform on a sheet 52 or on a TV picture, the receiver reads it into acomputer by means of the bar codes and prints the information on a sheet53 in human-readable and bar-coded form.

FIG. 6 illustrates how the method according to the present invention canbe applied when transferring information from one language to another.Now supposing that, for example, a doctor in Japan wishes to sendinformation on a patient to a doctor in Sweden. The Japanese doctor thenregisters information from his bar code tables 60 by means of a bar codereader and prints this information in bar-coded form on a sheet 61. Inthe manner described above, this information is transferred to thedoctor in Sweden, who when receiving the information reads it from e.g.a sheet 62 into his computer by means of a bar code reader and prints itin human-readable plus bar-coded form on a sheet 63. Alternatively, thebar-coded information entered into the Japanese doctor's computer can betransferred via a computer-link or a TV- or radio-link directly to theSwede's computer for printing. This technique of transferringinformation of course requires that common bar code designations havebeen agreed on internationally.

Finally, it should be pointed out that even if the method according tothe present invention has been described by means of examples frommedical service, the method is naturally not limited to this field ofapplication, but can be used in all fields where computerised handlingof information is needed and bar code designations for the informationhandled have been agreed on.

I claim:
 1. A method for registering, transferring, and storinginformation, comprising the steps of:providing a plurality ofpredetermined items of part information; providing a predetermined barcode to each of the predetermined items of a part information; storingeach of the predetermined items of part information together with thecorresponding predetermined bar code in a first computer; storing eachof the predetermined items of part information together with thecorresponding predetermined bar code on a first medium which permits abar code reader to read the predetermined bar codes from the firstmedium; storing each of the predetermined items of part informationtogether with the corresponding predetermined bar codes in a secondcomputer; providing information by selecting items of part informationfrom the plurality of predetermined items of part information; readingthe bar codes that correspond to the selected items of part informationby means of the bar code reader to register the selected partinformation; entering the bar codes read by the bar code reader into thefirst computer; printing both the bar code entered into the firstcomputer and the corresponding items of part information on a secondmedium by the first computer; and transferring the bar codes read by thebar code reader and entered into the first computer from the firstcomputer to the second computer before printing on a third medium by thesecond computer
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a print outof part information from the printing step is effected in a languageother than that used for the part information on the first medium fromwhich the bar codes are read by means of the bar code reader.
 3. Amethod as claimed in claim 2, after entering the bar codes, furthercomprising a step of printing the entered bar codes only, which are usedto be subsequently entered into the first computer for printing out thebar codes and the corresponding part information.
 4. A method as claimedin claim 1, after entering the bar codes, further comprising a step ofprinting the entered bar codes only, which are used to be subsequentlyentered into the whichever first or second computer for printing out thebar codes and the corresponding part information.
 5. A method forregistering, transferring, and storing information, comprising the stepsof:providing a plurality of predetermined items of part information;providing a predetermined bar code to each of the predetermined items ofpart information; storing each of the predetermined items of partinformation together with the corresponding predetermined bar code in afirst computer; storing each of the predetermined items of partinformation together with the corresponding predetermined bar code on afirst medium which permits a bar code reader to read the predeterminedbar codes from the first medium; providing information by selectingitems of part information form the plurality of predetermined items ofpart information; reading the bar codes that correspond to the selecteditems of part information by means of the bar codes reader to registerthe selected part information; entering the bar codes read by the barcode reader into the first computer; printing both the bar codes enteredinto the first computer and the corresponding items of part informationon a second medium by the first computer; and wherein a print out ofpart information from the printing step is effected in a language otherthan that used for the part information on the first medium from whichthe bar codes are read by means of the bar code reader.
 6. A method asclaimed in claim 5, after entering the bar codes, further comprising astep of printing the entered bar codes only, which are used to besubsequently entered into the whichever first or second computer forprinting out the bar codes and the corresponding part information.